By Matt Wiley
A Lutz motorcyclist has died, following an early morning crash in Wesley Chapel, the second motorcycle-related fatality in the area in a matter of weeks.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Darren Richard Derby, 20, of Lutz, was traveling westbound on S.R. 54 in the outside lane on his Suzuki motorcycle, approaching Oakley Blvd. just after 7 a.m. on January 29.
At the same time, Kayla C. Lancaster, 22, of Wesley Chapel, was traveling eastbound in the left turn lane on S.R. 54 in her Mazda coupe, approaching the same intersection. Lancaster came to a complete stop to wait for a van to pass traveling westbound. After the van passed, Lancaster began to make her turn onto Oakley Blvd. and came into the path of Derby
The bike struck the right side of Lancaster’s vehicles, causing Derby to be ejected. Although he was wearing a helmet, Derby died of his injuries at the scene of the collision.
Charges are pending, but it doesn’t appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The crash still is under investigation.
This is the second motorcycle-related fatality in the Wesley Chapel area in about two weeks. It always is important to keep an eye out for motorcyclists to help prevent collisions. No additional information currently is available.
No comment yet, add your voice below!